Me too. I had a small typesetting shop in Asbury Park, NJ in those days and was walking to work. Outside was a buddy/customer who said "Kennedy has just been shot." It was so ridiculous I thought he was joking and replied in the same vein, "Those Republicans will do anything to get back in power".
He said it was true and I turned on the radio and was stunned. I thought sure the govt would institute Martial Law and went back home, broke out my loaded M1 carbine and sat on the sofa, waiting for the militia to be called up. After about 10 minutes I regained my sanity, put the gun away and went back to work and listened to all the theories on the radio. It was one Helluva traumatic few days. (I was a right-wing Republican then too.)
Wow. So you remember the climate. But it was political, not murderous.
I think the media and the left misunderstand conservatives. We are in general law-abiders and constitutionalists. When we want to “take politicians out,” they’re still alive and uninjured. They’re not in power anymore.
That’s the whole point of constitutional government, that power can change without the sword or gunfights of the past, without overthrows, coups, assasinations and the like. “Rulers” are in power for specific periods and if they don’t behave, they will not be rulers anymore. But the military terms still apply, campaign, battle, thrust and parry. There’s nothing inappropriate about it.